Morrison 'torches' the Enerplex

Photo – A torch used in the Olympic Torch relay, with Denny Morrison reflected in the glass. The torch was donated to the City by the Vancouver Organizing Committee. Photo by Jon Zacks.

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Speed-skater Denny Morrison joined local dignitaries on Wednesday, as the City unveiled two pieces of Olympic memorabilia at the Enerplex.
Morrison, who won a gold medal in the team pursuit at the Vancouver Games, is currently in Fort St. John to help coach an Elks speed skating camp. During a break from skating, he joined Mayor Bruce Lantz to pull the black curtains away from two pieces of art now gracing the walls of the Enerplex.
The two pieces – a torch used during the cross-country relay and a painting created during the Fort St. John relay event – were framed and hung on the walls near the facility’s concession.
“Having the memorabilia is an excellent reminder of all of the hard work that went into the Olympic torch relay, both here and elsewhere” says Mayor Bruce Lantz after the unveiling.

Photo – A painting created by ‘Fritz’ during Fort St. John’s Olympic Torch Relay event. The painting was donated by the Royal Bank. Photo by Jon Zacks.

Lantz says the Enerplex is just entering its second full season of ice and the City is only just beginning to see the versatility of the building, pointing to the speed-skating, hockey, and figure skating camps all currently underway.
He also says that, while the facility was built primarily for ice-sports, the City aims to open it up to other uses, including classroom space, trade shows, and summer sports camps.
Latnz also said that he expects the third-floor running/walking track to be open “within days.”
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Morrison may return to his hometown for the grand opening of the Enerplex, scheduled for Oct. 13th. The Fort St. John native says the ‘controlled environment’ of the facility will allow the Energetic City to continue to produce top-level athletes.

Lantz says he does expect more art to find a home at the Enerplex, though he’s not sure how the City will go about acquiring it. He says officials will be looking for pieces that “fit the building” and are also “symptomatic of the community.”

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